Christmas In London | Natural History Museum Ice Rink

November 2, 2016

I love the Christmas season is an understatement if I say it so myself. I grew up in the Philippines where Christmas decorations are up and Christmas songs played as early as September 1st. Yes, we Filipinos believe that Christmas season starts when the ber months start. I believed in Santa Claus as a kid up until an alarming and embarrassing age of… I’d rather not say because it will seriously hurt my reputation. So yes, Christmas is a huge deal for me.

Unfortunately when I left the Philippines to work and live in Dubai in 2007, I haven’t had a full on Christmas celebration. Although Dubai was very accommodating to Christian traditions with all the Christmas brunch, Christmas decorations, Christmas markets and Christmas trees in hotels and malls (did you know that at some point, Abu Dhabi had the most elaborate and most expensive Christmas tree in one of its hotels?) – it still didn’t feel the same as celebrating it in a predominantly Catholic country like the Philippines where everyone’s on a holiday for a week during Christmas and New Year. I did appreciate everything though specially since it was a Muslim country and Christmas isn’t really a part of their culture.

The Christmas spirit went down the drain more when we moved to Doha where Christmas celebrations are scarce (and so freaking expensive). Qatar is a lot more conservative than Dubai so I was somehow expecting that the elaborate Christmas decorations I used to see in Dubai will be non-existent in Doha unless it’s inside a hotel. Thankfully, not long after that – we moved to London where Christmas is a huge celebration once again! Can I hear a woot woot?

I’ve listed all the Christmas-themed events and places in London and I plan to visit EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM. I kid you not, I’m definitely going to everything that I can go to. I’ve missed Christmas so much and I plan to make up for it this year. Not going to waste anytime.

So for my first Christmas-themed bucket list is the Natural History Museum Ice Rink which reminded me so much of the Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest in Philadelphia. With the beautiful architecture of the Natural History Museum as your backdrop, the ice rink is absolutely stunning specially with all the fairy lights decorating the trees surrounding it.

The Cafe Bar overlooks the ice rink and offers food and refreshments. I had my first taste of mulled wine here, a very popular Christmas/winter drink which was sweet, warm with a bit of red wine kick. I’m not really a skater, I’ve only ice skated once in my entire life so I spent most of my time at the Natural History Museum Ice Rink at the Cafe Bar watching the skaters glide below me.

There’s also a carousel opposite the ice rink which added a magical feel to an already enchanting atmosphere of the place. I ended my night by going inside the Natural History Museum for their after hours, with a glass of prosecco while admiring the dinosaur exhibit inside.

I’m still finding these all too weird for me. I came from a place where activities and events are scarce or private and then moved to a place where there’s just so much to see and do no matter what time of the day it is. I can’t wait to see all the other Christmas-themed events and activities around the city which are all starting in the coming days.

The Naturally History Museum Ice Rink will be up and running from October 27 to January 8 and will be closed on Christmas day, 25December. Generally, the ice rink is open from 11am to 9pm however depending on the dates of your visit – you might want to check their website if you plan on going there later in the evening, on the weekends or during New Year day itself.

Important notes:

Each skating session lasts for 50 minutes.
Skate hire is included in the price but you can also bring your own skates.
There’s a cloakroom for bags and coats which costs GBP2 per item.
You don’t have to have a ticket if you just want to walk around the whole area. You only need a ticket if you wish to ice skate however, you can also just enjoy watching the skaters from the Cafe Bar which is what I did without the need to buy a ticket.
Nearest underground station is South Kensington.
The Natural History Museum Ice Rink is open from October 27 to January 8 and closed on December 25.

78 Comments

Love it! That tree in the middle of the rink is amazing! Glad you are back in a place to fulfill all your Christmas dreams! Cheers from Copenhagen and God Jul as the Danes say! Thanks for sharing with #FarawayFiles – can’t wait to see where you take us this week! Erin

Wow.. I’ve read a lot about the Natural History Museum in London (mainly the dinosaurs part) but I never knew they had a ice-skating rink during Christmas! It look so magical. I love that vantage carousel too! #FarawayFilesBumble Bee Mum recently posted…Shinjuku Gyoen (Tokyo) in Autumn

So beautiful – my boys would love this although I’d be happy watching from the side with a warm drink to sustain me! I love the Natural History Museum but have never been when the ice rink is there. #farawayfiles

Headed into town next week to see the lights and skating rinks and so looking forward to checking out the rinks. My husband is a little annoyed at the ticket prices and the fact he left his skates in Canada, but I promised him hot chocolate and lots of lights..lol

I hope I love anything as much as you love christmas! Haha! This is an awesome post and it was so interesting not only to see the London activities but also get some insight into how it is celebrated in the Philippines, Dubai and Qatar. Thanks for sharing!

I’ve heard the UK does Christmas really well, although I’ve only travelled there during warmer months. Would love to experience Christmas in London though! And I’d spend most of my time down at the ice rink as I’m a figure skater! It looks like the perfect setting. It’s funny, coming from NZ, Christmas is all about BBQs and beaches, not winter activities!

We rented a house from London few years ago for Christmas. Your post brought back so many nice memories -and reminded me that we have not been in London since 🙂Hanna recently posted…Our family’s 6 favourite parks in Dubai

I just love how ice rinks pop up in the winter all over London! I’ve never been to London during the winter, so I’ll keep this is mind for when we go one day1 #FarawayFilesLolo recently posted…Cochem & the Reichsburg Castle

Christmas is my absolute favorite time of the year! I just love the decorations, the music and the jolly spirit all around! I’ve never been anywhere but the U.S. for Christmas, but next year I’ll be in SE Asia, actually, perhaps the Philippines! I would love to go to Europe for the Christmas season some time though, and London is a top contender! They really go all-out on this ice rink don’t they! Look at all the lights!Paige Brown recently posted…Dawn at Monument Rocks, Kansas

Can you believe I’ve never been on the Natural History Museum rink (I have been at Somerset House and the Tower, which are both pretty magical). My daughter decided last year, when she saw it on a visit to the museum itself, that this year she’d be big enough to skate with one of those penguins so maybe we’ll both finally get to try. #farawayfilesCathy (MummyTravels) recently posted…Five things to do in Bandung with kids

I love outdoor ice rinks, they are sooo Christmassy! The Natural History Museum is fabulous too, I remember going there when I was a kid and loved it – will have to go again in winter to do both these things!

I can’t believe how Christmassy it looks already! I love Christmas too but don’t tend to start thinking about it until late November so I’ll be in my Grinch mode until then. However…you’re sort of convincing me. Your pictures look so inviting and I can see that you need to start early if you’re going to do EVERYTHING. London really is lovely at Christmastime so I shall expect to see lots of your gorgeous photos celebrating that over the next couple of months! I love that you took a prosecco into the museum afterwards – it sounds so decadently indulgent. Thanks for sharing this with us on #FarawayFilesClare (Suitcases and Sandcastles) recently posted…Faraway Files #5

Haha! I remember your IG post and thinkin- these Filipinos really know how to live life! I love what London’s done with the ice rink- super festive! I’m still waiting for the Christmas decor to go up in Vancouver. We usually wait until after Remembrance Day before getting festive as a sign of respect, so I’ll have to wait another 2 weeks before the festivities begin!Ivy recently posted…How to See Kyoto in 2 Days

I love the Christmas spirit as well! There are ice rinks scattered across Chicago, where I live, in the winter, but I love that there is a Christmas tree in the middle of the ice rink you were at. The design with the cafe on the balcony overlooking the ice rink is perfect.

I was in UK for 40 days and “Saw” the ice rink when I was visiting the Natural History Museum but didn’t skate (one reason – I am nervous and mostly fall on my bum lol). It looks so magical during this time of the year – doesn’t it? I love Christmas too – I had no idea it was big in Philippines, not so much in India, sadly 🙁Jo recently posted…Nongriat – The Hidden Gem of Meghalaya

Yay, we are going there with the kids for their first ice skating experience in December. I just know you are going to have a wonderful festive time here but I just need to say one thing as a fellow Christmas obsessive .. TOO EARLY!! hee hee I am a traditionalist and the tree goes up on 1st December. Thanks for sharing on #FarawayFilesKaty Clarke recently posted…Faraway Files #5

Ahhh I love Christmas lights! I didn’t even know there was an ice rink here!

I felt a little similar moving to Korea for two years. While the country does have a strong Christian population, Christmas just isn’t the same for them. They already have their big family holidays– Seollnal and Chuseok. Christmas is far more secular. It’s actually known as a couple’s holiday!

I’m imagining Seoul to be a great place to have Christmas decorations at. I’m quite surprised that they don’t have it there. But then I didn’t really know that there’s a strong population of Christian as well in Korea. Lol.

It really looks dreamy! I love the holiday season too! But seriously, in Philippes they start in September???? Hahaha! We are shocked in the US when Christmas decorations are up before Thanksgiving (end of november) 🙂

So magical. My favourite city and favourite season mixed, AMAZING 😛 I am going to re-visit London for Christmas this year and am about to go ice skating somewhere… the Ice Rink in front of Natural History museum looks very very cool 🙂

I love love love these kinds of Christmas-y activities. It’s what makes the holiday season feel so festival. We have a couple skating rinks built in Amsterdam for the holidays too…and you just talked me into going this year! I’d go to this one in London if only I was there in December!Jessica C recently posted…My Solo Trip to Paris

Fantastic photos! Christmas in London seems special and magical. It really makes my feel like it is Christmas already! Also, I never knew Filipinos started playing Christmas music as early as September!

Wait… so this place is decorated for X-mas all year long or is this just super early decorations? And did you say the Philippines start the celebration as early as September? Man… you guys are crazy. And I thought we were horrible over here with X-Mas stuff on sale in November. I wonder if Germany is as crazy…Hung Thai recently posted…Career Fatigue and Life Changes at 30

This is great. The Natural History Museum is my absolute favourite place to visit in London but I have never been at Christmas when the skating rink is there. What a fun thing to do for a day trip. It looks so festive and magical. I hope you’re enjoying London.

Oh wow this looks so so pretty! I’ve lived in London my whole life but never got round to skating here, I’m definitely gonna give it a go this year! Thanks for all the super useful info and ticket prices 🙂